Boston Rock Photos And Stuff
There was a point during this Sunday night at TT’s when I thought it might be my final trip to the historic club. While I would make it out to one more show, I realized that watching The Daily Pravda own that stage one more time wouldn’t have been a bad way to go out.
The Daily Pravda
“Take It”
2015
The Daily Pravda played their first show 10 years ago last week. To celebrate this milestone, they’ve given me the opportunity to premiere their new single! I don’t know what I did to deserve this, but I’m pretty darn happy about it.
The Daily Pravda have always worn their influences on their collective sleeve. When you so expertly weave an elaborate musical tapestry from the best material, why not show off a little? Show off they do. “Take It” is downright majestic. The hint of tremolo. The slide guitar. The melodic bass and locked-in drums. All spot on. That’s just the intro. The verses build with a “Kashmir”-like haunting. The tension is palpable before flooding the chorus with saturated chords and a triumphant melody. Knowing there’s going to be a big payoff doesn’t make the outcome any less rewarding. It’s glorious, ready to take on all late night singalongs. The Daily Pravda have put out a bunch of great singles recently. This may be their best. The future is not boring.
Where to get it:
The Daily Pravda
“Country & Western”
2015
This is dark. Real dark. I didn’t expect this from The Daily Pravda. “Country & Western” tosses and turns in the night, never letting you get comfortable. “There’s terror waiting in the wing.” Indeed, there is. It slinks and slithers through the saxophone sleaze, Ruby Rose Fox wails and electronic shrieks. Don’t let the mid-song lullaby fool you. There’s no happy ending here. That would be too predictable. Who would want that?
Where to get it:
The Daily Pravda
“1999”
2015
“1999” sparkles with The Daily Pravda’s if-it’s-British-and-has-a-flair-for-the-dramatic-we-don’t-care-what-year-it’s-from-we’re-inspired-by-it sound. Bowie? The Psychedelic Furs? Radiohead? They’re in the mix. Layered guitars and well-placed backing vocals add dimension to this spaced-out melodic morsel. The whole thing is refined, precise and expertly executed. I like where this is going.
Where to get it:
It’s quite a feat to come off as grand and edgy, but The Daily Pravda managed to do just that in only three songs at the Q Division/Concerted Efforts/Moontower Holiday Party. Neat trick.
The Daily Pravda
“The Morning Was The Worst Part”
2014
The Daily Pravda have unleashed a majestic and biting single with “The Morning Was The Worst Part.” A scathing hook, a killer riff breakdown and a thematic shift to a major-key outro are all packed into a tidy, leave-’em-wanting-more 2:42. They also manage to stylistically blend Bowie, The Bends-era Radiohead and The Smiths without breaking a sweat. Impressive. Most impressive.
Where to get it:
There’s a show I’d like to go to just about every night somewhere in this town. Some nights it can be tough to choose just one. Friday night is going to be impossible. Fourteen lovable Daykamp Music alumni will be taking the stage at five different area venues on October 17th. My brain is melting. What to do? Let’s see if we can figure this out together.
Let’s start at The Middle East Upstairs for a very good cause. Township, White Dynomite, The Field Effect and Triple Thick will be there for Crash Safely along with Animal Hospital. That’s alotta rock, with the money raised going to support The National MS Society. (FB Event)
Maybe you want to do good with your show-going dollars, but that show isn’t your thing? You could always head next door to TT’s for the latest installment of the Boston Does Boston benefit for the Animal Rescue League Of Boston. Cask Mouse, The Rationales, The Daily Pravda, Muy Cansado and The Fatal Flaw will be joined by Dave Crespo’s After Party at that one. (FB Event)
If you’re caught up in the Boston Music Awards buzz and want to check out New Artist Of The Year nominee The Color And The Sound, then Church is the place for you. Bonus time! Doom Lover are on that bill, too. Daykamp Music loves them, but we secretly worry they’re plotting our demise. At least they’ll write a creepy-cool song about it. (FB Event)
How about Answerman and Barricades at PA’s with Go Blank and Emergency Exit? Couldn’t fault you for that one, either. (FB Event)
If you can’t find something to like in one of those shows, there’s nothing I can do for you. Oh wait! Yes there is! You can go see Gondoliers at Cuisine en Locale with Shepherdess and Planet Of Adventure. This show is being filmed. I can’t even image what Gondoliers have up their sleeves. I can’t wait to see. (FB Event)
The 2013 Rock ‘N’ Roll Rumble is in the books. This one won’t soon be forgotten. Anngelle Wood did a tremendous job. The Rumble requires gargantuan effort to pull together under ideal circumstances. This year? The way Angelle, Richard Bouchard, Kerri-Ann Richard and the rest of the Rumble crew navigated this Boston institution through uncharted waters was commendable. A careful balance of tact, compassion, flexibility and understanding the need for normalcy made the Rumble whole. I’m glad I got to be there.
Congratulations to Eddie Japan on their 2013 Rock ‘N’ Roll Rumble win! They were stellar in every round, never taking a single moment up on the TT’s stage for granted. Thanks to all 24 bands that participated. The talent in this city is inspiring. You kept me thoroughly entertained, even when I wasn’t sure I wanted to be.
I hope I was able to capture some of those special Rumble moments…
Finals:
Eddie Japan (2013 Rumble Winner)
Glenn Yoder And The Western States
Twin Berlin
The Dogmatics (Special Guest)
Semifinals:
Camden
The Daily Pravda
Eddie Japan (Semifinal Night #2 Winner)
Lifestyle
The New Highway Hymnal
Twin Berlin (Wildcard)
White Dynomite
Glenn Yoder And The Western States (Semifinal Night #1 Winner)
Preliminaries:
Blackbutton
Camden (Prelim Night #2 Winner)
Cancer Killing Gemini
Coyote Kolb
The Daily Pravda (Prelim Night #6 Winner)
The Deep North
Eddie Japan (Prelim Night #3 Winner)
Endation
The Field Effect
Ruby Rose Fox
Herra Terra
Jack Burton Vs. David Lo Pan
Lifestyle (Prelim Night #4 Winner)
Mount Peru
The New Highway Hymnal (Prelim Night #1 Winner)
The Okay Win
Parks
The Suicide Dolls
Supermachine
Twin Berlin (Wildcard)
Velah
Whitcomb
White Dynomite (Prelim Night #5 Winner)
Glenn Yoder And The Western States (Wildcard)
* Oh, and a t-shirt from Audio Cotton.
The 2013 Rock ‘N’ Roll Rumble is drawing to a close. We’re 32 sets deep into this thing. Glenn Yoder And The Western States, Eddie Japan and Twin Berlin (wildcard) will square off in the final round tomorrow night at TT’s. The Dogmatics are the special guest band. This is going to be good. Before you head out, here are a couple of quick thoughts on the Semifinals.
Not Their First Rodeo
There was a lot of past Rumble experience taking the stage on Semifinal Night #1. Glenn Yoder And The Western States, White Dynomite, The Daily Pravda and Lifestyle all had at least one member that had been through the ringer before. They combined for more than 20 previous Rumble appearances. You knew everyone was going to be at their best before the night even began.
Experience Vs And Youth
On Semifinal Night #2, only members of Eddie Japan had Rumbled before. It paid off for them. They won the night. The first timers had a pretty good showing as well. Camden and The New Highway Hymnal both put on great shows. Closing out the night, Twin Berlin earned themselves a spot in the final round as the wildcard with a band/crowd blurring set.
Cover Me
One of my favorite moments of this year’s event came when Ad Frank took the mic during Lifestyle’s set to cover himself. The band launched into the old Ad Frank And The Fast Easy Women* tune “Winterthru.” It was amazing.
Fun With Numbers
Play Me Out
There were some great song in the Semis. Here are a few of them. Come on out to the Finals tomorrow night at TT’s!
* 2004 Rumble
** Tim Scholl of Thick Shakes
The Daily Pravda are grand. Their set in the Rock ‘N’ Roll Rumble Semifinals was majestic. These guys have become one of the best in the city.
Rumble Semifinal Night #1:
Glenn Yoder And The Western States (Winner)
White Dynomite
The Daily Pravda
Lifestyle
